Kochi's New Corporation Headquarters to be Inaugurated by CM Tomorrow

Kochi: The Kochi Municipal Corporation’s new headquarters, is set to be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday, October 21. The inaugural ceremony, scheduled for 3 p.m., will also see the presence of Local Self-Government Minister M. B. Rajesh and Industries Minister P. Rajeev as chief guests.

The new building, constructed at a cost of Rs. 61 crore, stands in 1.5 acres along the Ernakulam Marine Drive. Encompassing a built-up area of 1,75,930 square feet.

Announcing the inauguration at a press conference, Mayor M. Anilkumar described the new building as a symbol of pride for Kochi and a significant milestone in the city’s civic infrastructure. He noted that the project, initiated years ago, had faced multiple delays due to legal hurdles and technical issues, but was ultimately brought to completion by the current Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led council through persistent efforts and strategic planning.

The six-storey building, in addition to a basement and ground floor, has been equipped with modern administrative and civic facilities. The first floor houses the Council Hall, which can accommodate up to 84 elected members, with additional seating for Corporation officials, members of the public, and the media.

Offices for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Chairpersons of the Standing Committees are also located on this floor. The subsequent floors have been allocated to various administrative departments, including revenue, health, engineering, town planning, and planning cells for AMRUT and PMAY projects.

Accessibility has been a core design principle of the new headquarters. The building features six elevators, ramps, and other facilities to ensure inclusivity for persons with disabilities. Additional amenities include a mini-conference hall, video and press conference rooms, a public service centre on the ground floor, a nursing room, and designated waiting areas. The ground floor also includes a health wing, a typing section, a staff canteen, and a rest room for drivers. Parking facilities have been arranged for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

One of the aesthetic highlights of the building is the sculpture titled “Queen of the Arabian Sea” installed at the entrance, welcoming visitors with symbolic elegance. Inside, a prominent wall mural narrates the cultural and historical legacy of Kochi. The artwork features prominent figures such as Edappally Raghavan Pillai, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon, G. Sankara Kurup, Pandit Karuppan, Dakshayani Velayudhan, Robert Bristow, Lord Willingdon, and Prof. M. K. Sanu. Iconic local landmarks including the Cochin Shipyard, Bolgatty Palace, the High Court of Kerala, and the Water Metro have also been artistically represented.

A notable feature of the new Council Hall is the introduction of a smart voting system. Members will be able to cast their votes digitally using designated switches for support, opposition, or abstention. The results will be displayed on a digital board, replacing the traditional method of voting by raising hands.

Mayor Anilkumar recalled that the initial land acquisition for the new office was completed during the tenure of former Mayor C. M. Dinesh Mani. The design was conceptualised by architect Kuldeep Singh, who had earlier developed the Marine Drive master plan. Construction officially began on April 17, 2006. However, progress was hampered over the years due to procedural and financial delays. Revised project estimates were prepared in 2015 and again in 2018. In 2020, a further estimate of Rs. 43 crore was added to cover essential works such as electrification, plumbing, interior furnishing, fire safety systems, flooring, and sewage.

The Mayor noted that, as of December 2020, Rs. 5.44 crore had been spent. Outstanding payments to contractors were settled under the current council’s tenure, and construction resumed with renewed vigour. A sum of Rs. 33.87 crore was disbursed to various contractors to complete the remaining work.

The project also withstood political criticism, with objections raised by the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF). In response, structural and safety assessments were carried out by engineers from the Public Works Department and the Local Self-Government Department, and a structural stability review by experts from Thrissur Engineering College confirmed the building's integrity.

Mayor Anilkumar described the new facility as an “abhimanamandiram” — a house of pride — and a reflection of the administration’s commitment to modern, inclusive, and efficient urban governance.

Looking ahead, the Corporation is considering plans to preserve the old office building as a heritage site. A final decision on this proposal is expected to be taken after deliberation in the Council.